lol646 website Education has always been contentious — K-12 education, particularly so. Few locales of public life are more vulnerable to the imposition (and questioning) of values than are schools: the places where we send our children to be prepared for life as citizens. So, in times of civic distance and discord, it’s not surprising that education, too, has become a political battleground. And yet, as dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Education, I am hopeful. I see evidence that no matter the election outcome, American educators will continue to connect across differences to deliver better student outcomes, close opportunity gaps and strengthen our communities. Here is what gives me that confidence. Kat Locke-Jones, Maryland’s Teacher of the Year, is a case in point. Motivated by her brother’s death by suicide, this seventh-grade teacher has dedicated herself to supporting the mental health of her students, transforming her classroom into what she calls a “brave space.” At the start of each academic year, Locke-Jones shares her story with her students at Baltimore’s Hampstead Hill Academy, building a sense of family and trust within the classroom. She encourages them to write and share their own stories, helping them find the courage to be authentic and vulnerable while learning to navigate conflict. At Hampstead Hill, a public charter school, 39% of the students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and 18% are immigrants just learning English. Locke-Jones’ students have excelled in English language arts. While the English assessment pass rate for seventh graders was 29% in Baltimore City, and 47% statewide, 82% of Hampstead Hill students passed — and more than a quarter of her students scored at the advanced level. For the majority of American families, schools are important community anchors. It is no accident that a great many of them serve as voting sites. Schools are still among our most trusted public institutions and most valuable connectors. One of these is our Johns Hopkins neighborhood partner, Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle School. Approximately one-third of Margaret Brent’s students speak English as a second language, and 85% are students of color. The school offers an innovative curriculum that embeds the visual and performing arts into strategies to help students retain academic content — especially those who are struggling with STEM subjects. When I visit the school each year for its arts celebration, parents reach out to tell me how grateful they are that Margaret Brent and its teachers use the arts to engage and develop their children in culturally relevant ways. One teacher said she counted nine different languages in her first-grade class alone. In such a diverse community, this arts-rich school builds relationships across all kinds of differences. At the Johns Hopkins School of Education, we examine interventions and models, new and old, for one basic measure: Does it work? Does distributing eyeglasses to children with vision problems improve learning? (Yes.) Does in-class surveillance technology promote school safety? (Possibly, but likely at the expense of academic performance.) One system model that works in most democracies around the world is educational pluralism — in which the government funds a broad range of schools that are owned and administered by private and public organizations, including churches and other civil society organizations, as well as secular agencies. In our education system, about 83% of K-12 students today attend public schools — 90% if we include public charter schools. That’s a heavy load for one sector — and an unwieldy one, when administered by 50-plus different government entities. Well-designed educationally pluralist systems support the distinctive character of different schools while holding them accountable for academic quality. The Netherlands funds 36 kinds of schools while requiring students in all of them to take common, knowledge-rich assessments. Belgium, England, South Africa and Indonesia operate in similar fashion. Importantly, leaders in these systems don’t pit entire school sectors against one another but seek to help all schools serve students well. Faculty and students at our school of education practice this approach by researching public, private, charter and homeschooling models and preparing leaders for all sectors. There are many more examples of the power of education to connect across divides, and my colleagues at the Johns Hopkins School of Education prove it every day as we work to prepare a new generation of education leaders and scholars to solve common problems together. We know that no matter what, we will work together to benefit the nation’s students — wherever they attend school.The post-election question: What comes next for trans people?The airstrikes were reportedly carried out with precision and efficiency, resulting in the complete destruction of all Syrian air defense bases targeted by the IDF. The operation was swift and decisive, showcasing the Israeli military's advanced capabilities and strategic planning. In the aftermath of the airstrikes, Syrian officials have condemned the attack as a blatant act of aggression and a violation of their sovereignty.We are accustomed to thinking of the Pilgrims at Plymouth and the neighboring Wampanoag tribe of Massachusetts as the first to celebrate Thanksgiving, but some scholars say that isn’t accurate. Here’s the case for other possibilities. The Thanksgiving traditions started by the Pilgrims in Massachusetts in 1621 are what most Americans follow. But history shows a celebration to give thanks occurred in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619. Not only that, 56 years earlier than the Puritan Pilgrims’ gathering, 800 Spanish settlers who founded the city of St. Augustine celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving along with members of the Seloy tribe. In St. Augustine, according to the National Park Service, it could have been cocido, a stew made with salted pork, garbanzo beans and garlic seasoning, accompanied by hard sea biscuits and red wine. If the Seloy contributed to the meal from their food stores, the menu could have included turkey, venison, gopher tortoise, mullet, drum, sea catfish, corn, beans and squash. There are other accounts of thanksgiving celebrations predating the Pilgrims by the French settlers in Florida. An early French account dates to 1564, when persecuted Huguenot settlers celebrated in Northern Florida. A year later the French settlement was wiped out by the Spanish. When the first settlers arrived in Jamestown in April 1607 and raised a cross at Cape Henry, claiming the land for England, they may have had a thanksgiving predating their first known observance in 1619. In that year, Berkeley Hundred was settled, one of a number of plantations granted by the Virginia Co. of London to its stockholders. Prior to leaving England in September 1619, ship Capt. John Woodlief received instructions from investors that included these words: “That the day of our ships arrival at the place assigned for plantacon in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty god.” On Dec. 4, 1619, Woodlief’s ship checked in at Jamestown, the colony’s capital, where a mostly religious thanksgiving ceremony was held, after which the ship sailed up the James River about 30 miles. The Berkeley Hundred plantation was not around long after a growing number of native Powhatan tribal members went to war and drove the settlers out in March 1622. Jamestown: Traveling aboard the ships Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery, 104 men landed in Virginia in 1607 at a place they named Jamestown. It was the first permanent English settlement in the New World. Plymouth: Thirteen years later, 102 settlers aboard the Mayflower landed in Massachusetts at a place they named Plymouth. Jamestown: Economic motives prompted colonization in Virginia. The Virginia Co., organized in 1606, sponsored the Virginia Colony. Organizers of the company wanted to expand English trade and obtain a wider market for English manufactured goods. They naturally hoped for profit from their investment in shares of company stock. Plymouth : Freedom from religious persecution motivated the Pilgrims to leave England and settle in Holland, where there was more religious freedom. However, after a number of years the Pilgrims felt that their children were being corrupted by the liberal Dutch lifestyle and were losing their English heritage. News of the English colony in Virginia motivated them to leave Holland and settle in the New World. Related Articles Jamestown: Inexperience, unwillingness to work and a lack of wilderness survival skills led to bickering, disagreements and inaction at Jamestown. Poor relations with tribes, disease and the initial absence of the family unit compounded the problems. Plymouth: Cooperation and hard work were part of the Pilgrims’ lifestyle. Nevertheless, they too were plagued with hunger, disease and environmental hazards. Jamestown: The settlers were members of the Church of England. Plymouth: The Pilgrims were dissenters from the Church of England and established the Puritan or Congregational Church. In 1619, the first representative legislative assembly in the New World met at the Jamestown church. Since New England was outside the jurisdiction of Virginia’s government, the Pilgrims established a self-governing agreement of their own, the Mayflower Compact. Jamestown: On Dec. 4, 1619, settlers stepped ashore at Berkeley Hundred along the James River and, in accordance with company investors’ instructions, celebrated their first official thanksgiving. Plymouth: In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims held a celebration to give thanks to God for his bounty and blessings. This occasion was the origin of the traditional Thanksgiving as we know it. You can find an interactive map of Historic Jamestown on the National Park Service site here . Sources: National Park Service, Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

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Rumor has it landscape photography on bright sunny days with blue skies is not a good idea. I would disagree. Here are a few ideas for editing photos shot in the midday sun that might just inspire you to go out and shoot more in bright conditions. The problem I have with bright sunny days is the lack of contrast and an unappealing blue haze in the distance. The first thing we tend to do is add some contrast and clarity to flat images to try to bring them to life, but that’s the worst thing you can do with a landscape photo shot on a bright, hazy sunny day. That nasty blue haze is exaggerated, and we make matters worse. When I look at a lovely view that is being ruined by less-than-perfect light, I consider shooting a black-and-white photo. If there are appealing shapes and tonal contrast, this can often be quite effective. The sample below is a great example. I love the dark trees on the ridgeline and the light, bright sky. There’s contrast there, and the color doesn’t add to this, so let’s get rid of it. Now, the distracting colors aren’t taking away from what’s interesting about the composition. If you study classic 18th- and 19th-century landscape painters and look at the colors they used in their daytime scenes, you’ll see that they were the original color-grading experts. They introduced colors to help evoke a certain mood, and there’s more to learn here about color grading than anywhere else, in my opinion. Often, darker tones are given a hint of red-brown, and lighter tones are given a yellow “grade.” Look at the skies in these old paintings in particular (examples within video). It’s worth the time trying to emulate classic paintings that appeal to you, using your editing app. There’s a lot we can learn from this. Old film stock from yesteryear is making a comeback, but it’s expensive. You can emulate the colors in analog film, which is something I like to do often. But beware of putting lipstick on a pig; a boring photo will still be a boring photo. I find the vintage film vibe works best with scenarios that are conducive to a certain time period. For example, I was in the Hollywood Hills a few years ago on assignment for a publication, and I was asked to photograph a house built in the ’50s. The bright midday Californian sun didn’t help matters, so I created a color grade in Photoshop that suited the era and took the edge off the nasty blue haze. I invite you to take a look at a video I made, using some photos as examples of what I’ve briefly covered here. I go into a bit more detail, with examples. Do you shoot in the bright midday sun or avoid it? Simon is a professional photographer and video producer, with over 35 years experience. He spends his time between Canada and the UK. He has worked for major brands, organizations and publications; shooting travel, tourism, food, and lifestyle. For fun he enjoys black and white photography, with a penchant for street and landscapes.Lamar Jackson takes on Philadelphia's top-ranked defense when the Ravens host the Eagles

Location is another key highlight of the Fengtai District Public Rental Housing program. The housing complexes are strategically located near important amenities such as schools, shopping centers, transportation hubs, and healthcare facilities, making it convenient for residents to access essential services and commute to work or school. The vibrant community atmosphere within the neighborhood ensures that residents can easily connect with their neighbors and enjoy a sense of belonging.Selling Rashford would undoubtedly be a difficult decision for Manchester United, both from a sporting and a commercial perspective. On the pitch, Rashford's absence would leave a significant void in the team's attacking options, and his departure could potentially weaken the squad.

The U.S. appeals court, in a split decision, has blocked the Biden administration from dismantling razor-wire fencing installed by Texas along the border with Mexico. This ruling comes amid a legal battle initiated by the Republican-led state accusing federal authorities of trespassing. The New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a previous decision by a federal judge who claimed Texas' trespassing law was inapplicable to federal entities, and that immigration authorities were protected from the state's lawsuit. The appeals court granted Texas a preliminary injunction, noting that the state aims to protect its own property rather than to interfere with Border Patrol. The court also noted that Texas appears set to prevail in its trespass assertions. (With inputs from agencies.)According to the latest data released by the PBOC, China's gold reserves rose by X tonnes in the month of August, bringing the total holdings to X tonnes. This increase in gold holdings marks the first uptick since February, when the central bank last reported an increase in its gold reserves.

The mother-daughter pair were among a group of about 60 people getting ready to spend the night outside a Loop high-rise as a fundraiser for Covenant House Illinois, which provides shelter, housing and social services to homeless and housing-unstable young people. Brooks McGrone, 50, said this was her fourth year participating in the annual “ Sleep Out .” She worked for one of the event’s sponsors and said it reminded her of her own experience with housing instability at 19. “I do know what it feels like to not have your own bed, your own space, not knowing where you’re going to go, where you’re going get your next meal,” she said. Social service providers sometimes refer to young adults ages 18-24 as a hidden sector within the overall homeless population because of their tendency to pivot among different housing situations as opposed to staying in more visible locations such as a tent city . On the heels of Donald Trump’s reelection this month, Chicago-area organizations and advocates are anticipating a possible influx of homeless young people. They say many of these people, who are disproportionately Black and LGBTQ+, may see Chicago and Illinois as a safer or more welcoming place to find housing and build lives than their states of origin. Some have already noticed an uptick in arrivals from far out of state as attitudes and legal protections toward LGBTQ+ populations have deteriorated in other parts of the country. Covenant House Executive Director Susan Reyna-Guerrero said she was encouraged by local and state elected officials’ support for efforts to address homelessness for people of all ages although she was concerned about how the national landscape might continue to shift for homeless youth. “It’s requiring us to be more vigilant, more deliberate, more efficient in using our resources,” she said. Reyna-Guerrero said they were hoping to raise about $650,000 and offer participants a way to better understand the “experience of what it’s like for young people who don’t have the safety and security of their own bed.” “We’re not pretending to be homeless, but we’re trying to increase awareness of what it’s like to be unstably housed,” she said. Hale, 20, said it was her second year sleeping out along with her mom. She described the event as a way to support a cause that was largely outside her control. “When my mom told me about this, I was like, ‘Let’s go,’” she said. “I don’t care if it’s below zero.” A cart of flattened cardboard boxes sat nearby and other sleeping bags were lined up waiting to be claimed. Hale and Brooks McGrone were expecting to be cold. But, they said, it was just one night. They would go home in the morning.In conclusion, Huang Xiaoming's devotion to charity serves as a reminder that true success is not measured solely by one's accomplishments but by the positive impact they have on others. His generosity, compassion, and altruism set a shining example for us all to follow, reminding us that the true essence of life lies in the selfless act of giving back to those in need. Huang Xiaoming's philosophy is a testament to the transformative power of charity, showcasing how it can enrich not only the lives of others but also our own.

WORCESTER -- For the second year in a row, the Bishop Feehan High girls soccer team lost in the MIAA Division 1 state final, losing to Wellesley 3-1 at Worcester State University. The loss caps a year where the Shamrocks went 17-3-3, facing tremendous adversity going back to before the season had started. The Shamrocks endured a head coach suspension before they had hit the field, endured injuries, and were counted out well before another run to the title - which saw them pick up wins over Boston Latin, Franklin (in penalty kicks), Needham and previously defending champion Natick in overtime. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.A man participating in a self-discipline challenge loses 20,000 yuan in prize money, sparking a legal dispute.

Texans foiled by mistake after mistake in 32-27 loss to Titans

Governments and policymakers around the world are also closely following the developments in the oil market. The rise in oil prices could have implications for energy security, fiscal policies, and overall economic stability. Efforts to diversify energy sources and promote renewable energy alternatives may gain momentum in response to the fluctuations in oil prices.

KBC Group NV Has $71,000 Stake in Marriott Vacations Worldwide Co. (NYSE:VAC)

In the face of ongoing global economic challenges and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese government recognizes the importance of bolstering domestic consumption and investment to drive economic growth. By prioritizing measures to boost domestic demand, the CPC aims to reduce reliance on external factors and create a more self-sustaining economy.

WORCESTER -- For the second year in a row, the Bishop Feehan High girls soccer team lost in the MIAA Division 1 state final, losing to Wellesley 3-1 at Worcester State University. The loss caps a year where the Shamrocks went 17-3-3, facing tremendous adversity going back to before the season had started. The Shamrocks endured a head coach suspension before they had hit the field, endured injuries, and were counted out well before another run to the title - which saw them pick up wins over Boston Latin, Franklin (in penalty kicks), Needham and previously defending champion Natick in overtime. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.None